Searchlight controller



June 13, 1939. I 4, F s 2,162,517

SEARCHLIGHT CONTROLLER Filed Aug. 31, 1935 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 a I I TTORf Y J. F. PETERS 2,162,517 SEARCHLiGHT CONTROLLER Filed Aug. 31, 1935 June 13, 1939.

'7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR oizfj/ zrzs.

ATTORQY June 13, 1939. .1. F. PETERS SEARCHLIGHT CONTROLLER I Filed Aug. :51, 19:55- She-ts-Slgeet 3 INVENTOR JYF/g/J June 13, 1939. F PETERS 2,162,517

SEARCHLIGHT CONTROLLER 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 WITNESSES:

J. F. PETERS n SEARCHLIGHT CONTROLLER June 13, 1939.

Filed Aug. 31, 19:s5

WITNESSES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR I J. F. PETERS SEARCHLIGHT CONTROLLER Filed Au 31 1935 June 13, 1939.

'7 Sheets-Sheet 6 June 13, 1939. JJF. PETERS SEARCHLIGHT CONTROLLER 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 51, 1935 INVENTOR Jfiz/S 515 /3.

ATTOR WITNESSES.

Patented June 13, 1939 PATENT OFFICE 2,162,517 SEARCHLIGHT CONTROLLER John F. Peters,

Edgewood, Pm, assignor to Westlnghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company,

East Pittsburgh, vania Pa., a corporation of Pennsyh Application August 31, 1935, Serial No. 38,769

15 Claims.

My invention relates, generally, to remote control apparatus and systems, and, more particularly, to a remote control station or comparator, as is commonly termed, for use in connection with 5 movable-objects, such as searchlights, guns and the like which are to be moved either manually or automatically in accordance with the movements of some other object or at will or in some other manner.

In the operation of 'searchlights for example, for anti-aircraft defense, it is the usual practice to manually control the movements of the light in azimuth and elevation by means of a suitable remote control system from a remote l5 station to which station data is transmitted from a listening station in the manner disclosed by my copending application Serial No; 21,010, flied May 11, 1935, now Patent No. 2,180,899 of September 20,1938. By the use of separate azimuth 20 and elevation controls for the searchlight, its position relative to the position of the sound locator may be maintained by the operator or the remote or comparator station.

operators at Thus the searchlight may be caused to follow the movements of an object even though the object cannot be seen and the searchlight'is not in operation in order that whenthe light is set in operation its beam will be on or very near the object.

It is desirable, however, to also provide for directing a telescope, binocular or other sighting device upon the object to be illuminated in order that the operators at the remote control or comparator station may readily view the object when the light is started. The telescope, etc., to be fully effective must 'be so actuated or controlled that its movements will correspond to the movements of the light as it is adjusted from the comparator station.

40 tion of the light and the corresponding operation of the binocular or telescope, in accordance with the operationof a sound locator, it is desirable to provide for causing both the light and a binocular to be moved in such manner that the beam projected by the light covers or traverses In addition to the manual control of the posi- Accordingly, the object of my invention, generally stated, is to provide a remote control station or comparator unit which shal be simple, accurate and efiective in operation, which may be economically manufactured and readily utilized.

A more specific object of my inventionis to provide for automatically controlling tne movements of a binocularor sighting device located at the comparator station in accordance with the movements of the searchlight. v

Another object of my invention is to provide a remote control or comparator device which may be operated manually to separately control, the azimuth and elevation movements of a searchlight at will, and manually or by power to eiiect a predetermined co-ordination of these movements to cause the projected beam to travel in a path of predetermined shape to effect searching operations.

A further object in a remote control system for a searchlight for causing the beam to be moved over a path in the shape of a closed spiral in response to the opera-- tion of a single operating device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a comparator unit having a pivotally mounted apparatus casing and a binocular mounting thereon, for automatically moving the .casing in accordance with the movements in azimuth of the searchlight and the binocular mounting in accordance with the movements in elevation of the searchlight when these movements are separately performed and for automatically moving the binocular mounting in accord- L ance with both the azimuth and elevation movements of the searchlight when these movements are jointly performed in a co-ordinated manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide I ments of the azimuth and elevation position control transmitters in a comparator unit which may be actuated manually or by motor and which shall function automatically to cause'the object controlled by the transmitters to move in a predetermined manner in cycles.

An additional object of the invention is to p-ro- "vide an actuating mechanism for the position controlling transmitters in a comparator unit having a binocular mounting which may be actuated manually or by power means and which functions to simultaneously actuate the transmitters and binocular mounting in accordance with a. predetermined cycle of co-ordinated movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide of'my invention is to provide a mechanism for effecting co-ordinated movea comparator control unit of light weight but sturdy construction, which is flexible and accurate-in operation and of such nature as to facilitate to the highest degree the control of a searchlight or other object in accordance with the movements of a directing device in the nature of a sound locator or the like.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in connection with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a comparator unit embodying the principal features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the mechanism of the comparator unit;

Figs. 3 and 4 are views partly in elevation and partly in section of the comparator showing details and arrangement of the mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of the searcher mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view along the lines VI-VI of Fig. 5, the link element being rotated through an angle of 180 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 5; A

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of a slip clutch;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the slip clutch of Fig. '7 taken along lines VIII-VIII;

Fig.'9 is an elevational view of a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 2 showing details of the driving arrangement for the binocular mount;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of a braking device;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the device of Fig. 10 taken along lines III-XI;

Fig. 12 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the binocular mount;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the device of F18. 12:

Fig. 14 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a portion of the binocular mount; and

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view of a remote control system showing the application of the comparator.

In practicing my invention, the comparator controller which comprises generally a casing for housing the transmitters, actuating mechanism, etc., is rotatably mounted on a suitable tripod support. ing may be individually operated by manual means at diil'erent speeds or they may be collectively actuated by a searcher or scanning mechanism which produces a predetermined-coordinatedcycle of movements of the'transmitters such as to cause the controlled object, such for example as a searchlight, to be moved in such manner as to cause the light beam to systematically scan a predetermined area in the sky about a predicted position of an airplane or the like.

. The searcher mechanism may be operated by a motor or by hand, or both, so that one actuating medium may be used to modify the action of the other. Likewise, the operation of either one of the transmitters while being actuated by the search mechanism may be modified by their respective manual operating means.

In order to limit the speeds at which the transmitters may be operated by their manual means provision is made for causing the manual means to become temporarily ineffective when the speed of the transmitter exceeds a predetermined value.

The comparator controller includes a device for supporting a sighting means, such for example, as a telescope or binocular in such posi- The position transmitters in the castion that the operator may view the object upon which the Searchlight beam is directed. The supporting means is rotatably supported by the casing in order to move the sighting means in azimuth and is also operable to move the sighting means in elevation. In addition, the supporting means is mounted for vertical adjustment with respect to the casing in order that the sighting means may be adjusted to the height of the operator.

The mechanism in the casing is so arranged that the supporting means or mount for the sighting means rotates with the casing when the azimuth transmitter is actuated by its manual means which also rotates the casing, and so that the supporting means rotates with respect to the casing when the searcher mechanism is actuating the azimuth transmitter, the casing then remaining stationary. The supporting means is actuated in elevation in response to either the operation of the elevation transmitter by its manual means or by the searcher mechanism. This arrangement provides for always maintaining the sighting means pointed in the same direction as the light beam since it is always moved in accordance with the movements of the searchlight.

The supporting means or binocular mounting as it may be termed, is so designed that the least amount of eifort on the part of the operator is required to follow the binocular during a searching or scanning operation. The binoculars are supported at the end of an arm which is pivotally secured to a second arm which is supported by a vertically disposed and adjustable element rotatably mounted'on the casing. The second or rigidarm is disposed at an angle to both the vertical and horizontal planes through the top of the vertical nfember so that the supporting arms are located to the side of the operator and the binoculars positioned over the center of the easing.

Referring now to the drawings in which like parts in the diflerent figures are designated by the same reference characters, Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the general nature of the comparator controller unit comprising generally a tripod l0 having a base ll upon which the easing or box I2 is rotatably mounted and the binocular mount I I which is rotatably mounted on the casing. This view shows the azimuth side of the comparator and shows various elements which will-be referred to hereinafter.

Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the comparator mechanism and the binocular mounting. The azimuth and elevation remote control transmitters I4 and I! are supported within the casing as shown in Fi 1.

In this embodiment of the invention provision is made for actuating the transmitters II and I5 both independently by manual means and collectively by a searcher or scanning mechanism shown generally at I and which will be described in detail hereinafter. As shown the azimuth transmitter ll may be driven by either one or both of two shafts I1 and I. which are connected to the movable element of the transmitter through a ,diil'erential gear I! and gears and ll. The drive shaft l'l may be manually actuated by either one of two hand wheels 2| and 22 both of which drive the shaft through a slip clutch 23. As shown the hand wheel 2| is geared directly to the shaft 24. The hand wheel 22 is connected to shaft 24 through a combination clutch and gear reducer 1| controlled by the point where transmitter shown, the gear reducer is effective and shaft 24 is actuated at some speed less than that of the hand wheel. With the handle in the opposite position, the clutch 21 is engaged to connect the hand wheel directly to the shaft 24 to provide a one to one speed ratio.

,Provision'may be made to disengage gears 20 transmitter i4, a stationary gear ring Si is proand 30, as shown in Fig. 15, in order to disconnect the transmitter i4 from the driving mechanism when desired. The transmitter 14 may be disconnected by sliding either one of the gears 20 and '30 along its shaft and in this instance a shift lever 42 is utilized for this purpose. Since it may be desirable in many cases to maintain the rotor of the transmitter in the same position after being disconnected in order that it may be reconnected to the drive mechanism in the same relative positions, provision is made for locking the rotor by means of a suitable brake 49. In this instance the brake 49 is stationarily mounted and engages the gear when it is shifted out of engagement with the drive gear 10.- Any other suitable arrangement maybe used so long as it looks the rotor of the transmitter. A similar arrangement for disconnecting and locking the transmitter I5 is provided.

As will be described more fully hereinafter, the azimuth transmitter. l4 functions to operate a receiver at ,the searchlight ,or other controlled ob-- ject. Under such conditions, it is desirable to limit the maximum speed of the transmitter to a point at which the transmitter and receiver or repeater will remain in synchronous or operativerelation. In order to accomplish this function provision is made for rendering the hand wheels 2! and 22 ineffective, by a forced operation of the slip clutch 23, when a predetermined maximum speed is reached. As shown, the slip clutch 23 is geared to and drives a speed-responsive braking device 28, the details of which are shown in Figs. 10 and 11, although any other suitable device may be used for this purpose.

The brake device comprises a cylindrical casing 29 for housing the rotating element II. which is driven by a shaft 32 geared to the slip clutch as shown in Flg..2.- The rotating element St comprises a disc 33 on which is pivotally mounted a pair of brake shoes 34 and 35, which are normally' retained in a non-braking position by the springs 36 and 31, connected between the opposite ends of the yokes 38 and 33. It is apparent that when the rotating element 3| attains a predetermined speed in either direction of rotation, the brake shoes 34 and are forced outwardly into engagement with the casing 23 whichfunctions as a brake drum. The shoes are connected by a link 4| rotatably mounted on the shaft 32,

which functions to cause the shoes to move together. When the brake functions at a predetermined speed, the slip clutch 23 is loaded to such an extent as to cause it to slip and render the hand wheels temporarily ineffective to further increase the speed of the transmitter to a the remote control, of which the i4 is a part, would be pulled'out of synehronism or otherwise rendered ineffective or inaccurate.

The details of the slip clutch 23, are shown in Fig. 8. The driven shaft 24 is secured to a sleeve 43 which is secured to the clutch plate 44. The casing 45 is secured to the driving shaft l1 and encloses the stationary friction element 46 and the spring actuated element 41 between which the plate 44 is clamped. As will be readily.

understood, when the load on shaft l'l exceeds a predetermined value, the plate 44 will slip between the elements 43 and 41. The load at which the device starts to function may be varied by means of the adjusting screws 48 which vary the spring tension.

In order to rotate the casing I! in azimuth in accordance with the movements of the azimuth vided on the base ll of the'tripod N which engages a drive pinion 52 actuated through a differential gear 53 from the ring gear element of the differential is as shown. Since the ring gear one of the sun-gears of the differential I3 and has no effect upon the ring gear.

The ring gear element of differential 53 is locked by a worm 54 on the shaft 55 which may be rotated by the knob 56 in order to shift'the position of the casing I2 relative to the position of the object controlled by the transmitter l4. Such might becomedesirable when tracking an aircraft while observing it through the binoculars in order to shift azimuth position of the binoculars with respect to the Searchlight beam.

In thisembodiment, the operation of the hand wheels 2| and 22 to drive shaft II also actuates the azimuth dial 51, which indicates the position in azimuth of the Searchlight, through the worm 58, worm gear 59, slip clutch SI, and pinion 62 as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. An adjusting knob 63 is connected to the dial shaft through shaft 64 and gears 65 which may be used to adjust the dial by slipping the clutch ii.

Referring now to the elevation control side of the comparator mechanism, it will be observed through a slip clutch I3 which is controlled by a speed responsive brake 14. The hand wheel 12 is connected toshaft 36 through a combination clutch and speed reducer 15, as before.. The elevation dial 18, not shown in this figure, is actuated directly from the ring gear element of the differential 63 through a similar gear arrangement and slip clutch as in the case of the azimuth dial 51. Anadjusting knob 10 is also provided, as shown,- which performs the same function as the knob 63.

As will be described more in detail hereinafter, the binocular mount I3 is rotatably mounted on the casing I! in order that the binoculars 11 or other sighting means, may be moved relative to the casing in' azimuth. The mount is so designed that it is operable to move the binoculars in elevation. v

The elevational movements of-the mount II are effected in accordance with the operation of the elevation transmitter l5 and, in this instance,

that it is generally similar to the azimuth conthese movements are produced through a gear ation about a predicted location of an the hand wheels II and I2 or by the searcher mechanism I6 through the shaft 91.

The planetary element of the diflerential II is connected to a worm wheel 89 by means of a hollow shaft extension 90 through which the shaft 82 extends. A worm 91 engages worm wheel 88. in order to hold the planetary element against rotation so that the shaft 92 may be driven through the differential 8|.

In order to provide for shifting the elevational position of the binoculars with respect to the elevational position of the light beam the worm 91 is connected to an adjusting knob I99 by means .of a shaft I20, bevel gears II and shaft I22.

The movements of the binocular mount I3 in azimuth are effected in two ways, by the movement of the casing I2 and by the movement of the mount I3 relative to the casing. When the azimuth transmitter I4 is being driven by the hand wheels 2I and 22, such as when tracking an aircraft or in following the sound locator, it is desirable to rotate the casing in accordance with the movement of the light beam in azimuth.

This movement of the casing is therefore utilized to move the binocular mount I3. When, however, it is desired to effect a searching operaircraft, it is desirable to rotate the binocular mount I3 relative to the casing I2. In this instance, the mount I3 is rotated relative to the casing by gearing it to the searcher shaft I8 as shown through the worm 9| and worm gear 92 which actuate shaft 93 on which is mounted a spur gear 94 that engages a gear segment 95 of an arm 96 connected to the rotatable elements of the mount, as will be described hereinafter. Thus, it is seen that the binocular mount I8 is geared directly to the searcher shaft I8 and is actuated in azimuth with respect to the casing only when the searcher mechanism I6 is operated.

When the hand wheels 2| and 22 areactuated,

however, the binocular mount I3 is held stationary with respect to the casing I2, since the searcher shaft I8 is then stationary and the mount I3 rendered ineffective to rotate it by the worm and worm gear connection, Just described.

Before describing the binocular mount further, a description of the searcher or scanning mechanism I6 will now be set forth in connection with Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

The purpose of the searcher mechanism, which may be referred to as a mechanical searcher in this instance, is to provide for collectively actuating the azimuth and elevation transmitters I4 and IS in a predetermined coordinatedmane ner such as to cause, in this case, the searchlight to be moved in such a way as to causethe beam to systematically scan or travel over a predetermined area in the sky and to completely cover the area to be searched without appreciable overlap in order to scan the maximum area in the shortest possible time.

Due to the nature of the comparator controller, the conditions under which it is used, and

the minimum weight requirements, the searcher mechanism must be of rugged and simple construction, light in weight, compact in arrangement and smooth and as near frictionless as possible in operation. In order to meet all of these requirements in a satisfactory manner, a

, mechanism, which is best illustrated in Fig. 5,

is utilized to drive the azimuth and elevation searcher shafts I8and 61. general, comprises a linkage 99 and avariablepound gear II! and pinion H8 The mechanism, in

drive gears are connected to the searcher shafts I8 and 61 by means of the pinions III! and III in such manner that the motions of the drive links fill and I02, cause the transmitters to be rotated.

The other two links H2 and Ill which may be termed the actuating links, are pivotaliy connected to the movable ends of the drive links and are both connected with-a stub shaft II4 as shown in Fig. 6, the link II8 being rotatably mounted on the. stub shaft and the link II2 being-secured or keyed thereto.

The variable-ratio gear mechanism 99 which is utilized in this instance to actuate thflinkage 98 comprises a compound gear III having offset portions H6 and III which cooperate with a compound pinion II8 comprising a circular spur gear element H9 and an eccentric spur gear I2I mounted on a shaft I22 which is journalled in a box type link I23 pivotally secured to a stub shaft I24 on the compound gear H9, as shown.

The stub shaft II4 to which the drive link '2 is keyed is journalled in suitable bearings I25 in the box link I23 and is connected to the shaft ,it is held against rotation by the link II2, which is keyed to shaft II4. This causes the box link I29 to be revolved about its pivot connection I24 on the gear II5 carrying the linkage 98 with it.

The element II9 of gear II5 has a constant or fixed radius whereas the other element II! has.

a varying radius, as shown, in order to obtain a spiral movement of the searchlight beam. In this embodiment, the ratio between the gear element IIS and pinion H9 is 4 to 1, while that of the gear element III and eccentric pinion I2I is one to one when inthe center position, as shown in Fig. 5, and which, of course, increases until at the transfer points I29 and I9I the ratios are the same. In order that predetermined cycles of elevation and azimuth movements may be obtained, it is necessary that the pinion II9 make a predetermined number of complete revolutions for each revolution made by the compound gear In other words, the transfer points on gear II5 are fixed.

. In this instance, it was found desirable to increase the overall ratio of the variable ratio gear 99 above that which could be obtained by the comalone. This may be done by means of the spur gears I28 and I21 having a ratio of three to one, which in this particular embodiment, gives the variable ratio gear a ratio of approximately 6 to 1.

As shown in Fig. 6, the center line of the stub shaft 4 is ofist with respect to the axis of shaft I28 or compound gear element H5 which causes the spiral movement to begin as soon as the mechanism starts to function.-

In this embodiment of the invention, provision is made for actuating the searcher mechanism I8 manually or by power by means of a hand wheel I81 and motor I88, or both may be used simultaneously.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 9, the shaft .128 on which the variable ratio gear wheel I I8 is mounted is driven by a gear train comprising gear wheels I88, I, I42 and I48; The gear wheel I48 is secured to the ring gear element of a differential gear mechanism I44, one side of which is driven by means of a worm wheel I48 actuated by the worm I48, which may be turned by the hand wheel I81 located on top of the casing I2 as shown in Fig. 3. The true position of the worm I48 is as shbwn in Fig. 3, but it is shown on the opposite side of the worm wheel I48 in Fig. 2 in order to more clearly illustrate its function.

The other side of the differential I44 is driven byshaft I41 which may be connected through a clutch I48 to a gear mechanism I48 driven by the searcher motor I88 supported on the outside of the casing I2, as shown in Fig. 1.

As will be readily understood, the motor I88 may be operated at different speeds in accordance with the speed desired for searching. The searcher mechanism I8 may be actuated by either the motor I88 or hand wheel I81 separately or simultaneously as desired. The hand wheel control may be actuated at any time to modify the action of the searcher mechanism I8 when under poweroperation.

With reference to Fig. 2, it will beobserved that a pointer I8I is geared to the drive shaft I28 which may cooperate with a suitable stationary index to provide a continuous indication of the position of the searcher mechanism and thereby the position or point on the scanning path or cycle at which a beam is or will be directed. The pointer revolves in a glass covered chamber I82 on the top of the casing I2 in view of the operators;

In order to provide for causing the binocular or other sighting means to always be pointed in the direction of the searchlight beam or toward the predicted position of the aircraft, as determined by the sound locator, a binocular mount I8, as shown in Figs. 2, 12, 13 and 14, is utilized. Since the mechanism for actuating the azimuth and elevation transmitters I4 and I8 is such as to effect rotation of the casing I2 when the azimuth transmitter is separately actuated by the hand wheels 2i. and 22, the position in azimuth of the binocular may be maintained under such conditions by causing the mount I8 to be moved by the movements of the casing I2. However, when the mechanical searcher I8 is in operation, the casing I2 to the casing- The movements in elevation of the binocular must be obtained under both conditions by actuation of the mount I8 since the easing. has no elevatlonal movement.

In order to produce these functions, the mount I8 is so constituted that it operates automatically in the desired manner in wheel and searcher operations.

As shown, the binocular 11 is supported at the end of the elevation arm I84 which is rotatably secured to and supported by a second arm I88 which is rotatably mounted on the casing I2.

The rotatable mounting or support for the arms I84 and I88 is best shown in Fig. 14. The arm I88 is removably secured to a head I88 which stationary sleeve I88 and remains stationary which requires that the mount I8 be moved in azimuth relative.

response to the hand is keyed or otherwise secured to the upper end of a threaded tube I81 which engages a nut I88 for the purpose of adjusting the height of the mount as will be described more in detail hereinafter. The nut I88 is supported by means of a sleeve I88 which is rotatably mounted on bearings IN and I82 within the stationary sleeve I88, secured to the top of the casing I2. The rotatably mounted sleeve I88 is secured against rotation relative to the threaded tube shaft I81 by means of a key I84 which engages a longitudinal keyway in the tube shaft thereby permitting the binocular mount to be adjusted vertically with respect to the casing and to rotate thereon through the functioning of the sleeve I88.

The rotation of the binocular. mount I8 with respect to the casing I2 is effected by rotating the sleeve I88 by means of the arm 88 as referred to hereinbefore and shown in Fig. 2. Rotation of the searcher shaft I8 drives the arm 88 through the gear connection shown and previously described. Since the shaft I8 is stationary when the manual drive shaft I1 is actuated, the gear connection then functions to hold the mountstationary with respect to the casing I2.

The elevational movements of the supporting arm I54 are effected by the vertically mounted azimuth arm I88, by means of bearings I88 and I88, through; the bevel gears HI and I12 and slip clutch I18. A worm gear I88 is keyed to the shaft I88 of the elevation arm I84 and meshes with a worm I18 on the opposite end of the shaft I81. The vertical shaft 81 is driven in accordance with the movements of the elevation transmitter I8 as described hereinbefore. The bevel gear I12 is connected to the shaft I81 by the slip clutch I18 in order to prevent any damage to the mechanism should the elevation arm I84 be moved too far in either direction.

The adjusting nut I88 may be actuated. by a bevel gear wheel I14 rotatably mounted on the provided with an operating handle I18. Since the nut I88 is carried by the sleeve I88 which rotates with the threaded tube I81, it will also rotate with the binocular mount is rotated which will prevent any change in the vertical position of the mount except when the bevel gear is actuated.

the tube when In order that the binocular mount I8 may be.

readily removed from the casing I2, it is removably secured to the head I88 of the rotating element by means of the thumb nuts I18 and I11 as shown.

It will be observed of the arms I84 and III are such as to position the binoculars or sighting means -in line with the verticalsupport and to enable the observer .to utilize the binoculars without interference from the mount. The arm I88 is preferably inclined upwardly. at a slight angle, as shown in Fig. 12,

that. the relative positions and is also disposed at a side angle, as shown in Fig. 18, of such magnitude 'as to so position the gear box I18 that it will not interfere with the observer.

Due to the fact that the binocular is mounted on the arm I84, it moves vertically in an are having a comparatively large radius which readily permits the observer to easily maintain his eyes in the proper position with a minimum amount of head movement.

The binocular is supported on the arm I84 by means of a bracket I18 which also functions as a sighting device. The bracket I19 is rotatably mounted upon an arm I8I which in turn is rotatabiy secured to the arm I54, in order that the binocular and sight may be moved in azimuth and elevation relative to the arm I54. The arm In order to compensate for the weight of the binoculars and bracket on the arm I54 and thus balance the mount for movement in either direction, a coil spring I81 is interposed between the shaft I98 or worm gear I89 and the gear box I18 on arm I55, of such strength as to practically balance the torque tending to rotate the arm I54 in a counter-clockwise direction. This reduces the load on the searcher mechanism and the actuating elements of the mount to a minimum and makes for greater accuracy and freedom of operation.

There is also provided in the comparator casing I2, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, azimuth and elevation receivers I9I and I92 for driving the inner dials I93 and I94 which cooperate with the outer dials 51 and 16 to indicate the relative positions in azimuth and elevation of the sound locator and searchlight. The receivers I9I and I92 are disposed within the casing as shown in Figs 3 and 4, and in this instance the dials are mounted directly on the shafts of the receivers. The azimuth dial arrangement is shown in Fig. 1,

the elevation dials 16 and I94 being on the oppoing of a sound-locator remote control system site side of the casing I2.

Having now described the details of construction of the comparator, reference should be had to Fig. 15 which is a simple diagrammatic showfor searchlights and other movable objects which are to be directed from a remote position. In this view, only those elements necessary to illustrate the functioning of the comparator have been "illustrated and are designated .by the same ref- 70 controlled by the receivers 203 and 204.

erence numerals as used in the other figures.

The searchlight I91 may be of the usual construction having a drum I98 rotatably mounted on trunnions I99 supported on a rotatable subbase 20I which is rotatably mounted on a main or stationary base 202. The movements of the drum in elevation are effected by suitable receiver 203, while the rotation of the drum and sub-base 20I may be controlled by a receiver 204, both of which are electrically connected to the transmitters I4 and in the comparator. Any suitable remote control or follow-up system may be utilized to control the movements of the searchlight from the comparator; however, in this instance, -a schematic showing of the remote control system as disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 21,010, filed May 11, 1935, has been made. The transmitters I4 and .I5 and their respective receivers 204 and 203 are in the form of synchro-machines and constitute synchro-ties. The movements of the searchlight are eifected by means of power units (not shown) mounted in the sub-base I and The transmitters and receivers, however, may take any other desired form, such, for example, as.

step-by-step motors, etc.

The sound locator 205 is of well known con- ..struction and requires no detailed description.

may be effected by operating the transmitters I4 and I5 by means of the hand wheels 22 and 12. Since these movements are indicated by the azimuth and elevation dials or indicators 51 and 16 on the comparator, the searchlight may be caused to follow the movements of the sound locator indicated by thedials I93 and I94, thereby causing the searchlight to track or follow the sound source as its position is predicted by the sound locator 205.

During these operations, the binocular mount I3 is actuated as described hereinbefore in order to maintain the binoculars 11 or other sighting means carried by the mount to follow the movements of the searchlight.

In the event that the sound source is not in the light beam of the searchlight when it is turned on, and a scanning or searching operation is required to locate it the mechanical searcher I6 is set in operation in order to produce the desired coordinated operations of the transmitters I4 and I 5, to cause the beam to travel over a predetermined area in a systematic manner as described hereinbefore. In this instance, the binocular mount I3 is actuated in unison with the transmitters in order to cause the sighting means to follow the beam as it traverses the area to be scanned.

It may be stated, in conclusion, that while the illustrated embodiment constitutes a practical embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the exact details herein illustrated, since modifications of the same may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a searchlight having a drum mounted for movement in azimuth and elevation, electro-responsive means operable to actuate the drum in azimuthand elevation, position control transmitters for controlling said electro-responsive means, a casing for said transmitters, means on the casing for supporting and moving a pair of binoculars in azimuth and elevation relative to the casing, and mechanical means operable to collectively actuate the position control transmitters in accordance with predetermined operating cycles and the binocular supporting means in accordance therewith independently of the easing, thereby to effect predetermined co-ordinated movements of the'searchlight drum and the binoculars while the casing remains stationary.

2. The combination with an object mounted for movement in azimuth and elevation and power means including azimuth and elevation receivers for actuating the object, of a controller comprising azimuth and elevation position transmitters, a rotatably mounted casing for said transmitters,

manually-operable means for simultaneously.

'eiiecting a movement of the casing to eflect predetermined movements of the object in azimuth and elevation.

3. In a comparator controller for controlling the movements of an object in azimuth and elevation, azimuth and elevation control transmitters, driving means ior the transmitters including a pair of drive shafts having a gear wheel positioned on one end of each shaft and a pair of actuating levers pivotaliy mounted at a common point having gear segments thereon to engage the gear wheels on the drive shafts, a variable ratio gear mechanism having a driving crank for operating the driving means, and links connecting the actuating levers to the crank, thereby to produce predetermined coordinated movements in azimuth and elevation of the transmitters and a corresponding movement of the object being controlled.

4. In a'comparator control device, a pair of electro-responsive position transmitters for controlling the movements in azimuth and elevation of a movable object, manually-operable means for actuating each transmitter independently of the other, means including a linkage mounted for oscillatory movement about a fixed pivotal support, for actuating both transmitters simultaneously, a variable ratio gear mechanism having a driving crank connected to said linkage for actuating said linkage in a predetermined manner about the fixed pivotal support to effect predetermined coordinated movements of the transmitters and thereby cause the movable object to follow said coordinated movements, and means for actuating said variable ratio gear mechanism.

5. In a comparator control device, electrical. position transmitters for controlling the movements in azimuthand elevation of a mov-.

able object, manually-operable means for actuating each transmitter independently of the other, means including a plvotally-mounted linkage ior actuating both transmitters simultaneously, a variable ratio gear mechanism for actuating the linkage to operate the transmitters in a predetermined coordinated manner, whereby the movable object is caused to move in accordance with the resultant movements of the transmitters, a motor, a handwheel, and a differential gear device connecting the motor and handwheel ratio gear mechanism, whereby mechanism.

6. In. a comparator controller for controlling the movements of a movable object in azimuth and elevation, in combination, azimuth and elevation directing transmitters manually-operable means for actuating each transmitter independently of the other, means including a pair of levers pivotally mounted at a common fixed point for actuating the transmitters independently or the manual means, drive means including a variable ratio gear mechanism for actuating said levers to produce coordinated movements of the transmitters, and consequently the object. a mo tor for driving said drive means, manual means for actuating said drive means and means whereby either the motor or manual means may be utilized separately or drive means. n

7. In a comparator, in combination, a rotatably mounted casing, a pair of transmitters in the easing, means whereby said transmitters may be independently actuated, means whereby said transmitters may be operated collectively. a binocular apair oi.

together to actuate the mounting rotatably supported by the casing, and

' means whereby the binocular mounting is actumounted casing, a pair of electro-magnetic transmitters in said casing, means mounted on the casing for supporting a binocular, said means being movable with respect to the casing in'azimuth and elevation and movable with the casing in azimuth, means whereby the transmitters may be actuated individually or collectively in accordance with a predetermined cycle of operation,

means responsive to the individual operations of f the transmitters for rotating the casing and actuating the binocular supporting means in elevation, and means responsive to the collective operation of the transmitters for actuating the binocular mounting means invboth azimuth and elevation in accordance with the predetermined operating cycle of the.transmitters.

9. A comparator controller comprising, a casing member, means for supporting the casing, means for supporting and pointing a binocular. comprising a first support member rotatably mounted on top of the casing and adjustably mounted for vertical movement with respect thereto, a second support member pivotally secured to the end of the first member for movement in a vertical plane for supporting the binocular, and means for actuating the first and second support members to eifect movements of the binocular in a predetermined manner.

10. A comparator controller comprising a casing member, means for supporting the casing, means for supporting and pointing a sighting device comprising a first support member rotatably mounted on the casing and adjustably mounted for vertical movement with respect thereto. a second support member plvotally secured to the end of the first member for supporting a sighting device, said second support member being movable 'with respect to the first in a vertical plane.

means for eii'ecting rotational movement of the first support member to position the sighting device in azimuth, and means for actuating the 11. In a comparator controller, in combination,

an apparatus casing, sighting means, means mounted on said casing for supporting the sighting means, said supporting means comprising a first element rotatably supported by the casing and adjustably mounted for vertical movement with respect thereto and a second'element pivotally secured to the first and movable relative thereto in a vertical plane, means for rotating the rotatably mounted first element, means for actuating the second element, and means for ad- Justing the position 0! said element vertically in order to vary the height of the sighting means above the casing.

12. In a comparator control device, in combination, a pair of electro-magnetic transmitters having rotatable elements, manually-operable variable-speed means associated with each transmitter for separately actuating the rotatable elements oi the transmitters at will, each of said variable speed means including a diflerential gear device, a rotatably mounted casing for housing said transmitters and actuating means, means from one of said variable speed means through its associated diiferential gear means whereby the casing is rotated in accordance with the operation of the rotatable element of one of the transmitters, and means for controlling the ring gear element of the said second differential gear for adjusting at will the azimuth position of the casing with respect to the position of the rotatable element of said transmitter.

13. In a comparator unit, in combination, a rotatably mounted casing, a pair of transmitters in said casing, a binocular mount rotatably mounted on the casing and operable to move the binoculars supported thereby in both azimuth and elevation independently of the casing, said binocular mount comprising a vertical shaft rotatably mounted on the casing, a transvefisely extending arm detachably mounted on the upper end of said shaft and movable therewith and a second arm' pivotally mounted on the outer end of the transversely extending arm for carrying the binocular and movable in a vertical plane, means operable to simultaneously drive the transmitters through predetermined cycles of movements, and means actuated thereby to simultaneously rotate the-vertical shaft and actuate the second arm of the binocular mount in elevation in accordance with the movements of the transmitters while the casing remains stationary.

14. In a comparator unit, in combination, a rotatably mounted casing, a pair of transmitters in said casing, a binocular mount comprising a support member rotatably mounted on the casing and a binocular supporting arm pivotally mounted on the support member for elevational movements in a vertical plane operable to move thebinoculars supported thereby in both azi- 2,162,617 including a second differential gear device driven muth and elevation independently of the movements of the casing, means operable to simultaneously drive the transmitters through predetermined cycles of movements, means actuated in accordance with the movements of one of the transmitters during its cycle of movement for effecting rotational movement of the support member of the binocular mount relative to the casing in accordance with said cycle, and means actuated in accordance with the movements 01' the other transmitter during its cycle of movement for eflecting elevational movements of the binocular supporting arm of the binocular mount in accordance with said cycle.

15. In a comparator control unit for controlling the movements ofv a searchlightin azimuth and elevation, in combination, a rotatably mounted casing, elevation and azimuth control transmitters in said casing, a binocular mounting sighting device rotatably mounted on said casing, said device comprising a support member rotatably mounted on the casing and an arm for supporting the binocular pivotally mounted on said support member for movement in a vertical plane operable to move the binocular in azimuth and elevation relative to the casing and also in azimuth in accordance with the rotational movement of the casing, manually-operable means for actuating the elevation transmitter and the binocular supporting arm of the-binocular mounting device in unison, manually-operable means for actuating the azimuth transmitter and casing in unison, and additional means for efleoting a co-ordinated operation of both transmitters and similar co-ordinated movements of the support member and the binocular supporting arm of the binocular mounting device independently of the casing.

JOHN F. PETERS. 

